What tools should be used in permaculture to prepare the soil?

If there's one thing to remember in permaculture, it's that you should avoid turning over the soil, and above all keep it covered once prepared. If you've already created your vegetable plot, or if you haven't yet, there are various solutions.

I haven't created my vegetable plot yet

I see two options for preparing your land to create a vegetable garden:

• If the land is covered with lawn or weeds: I recommend simply covering it with a 10 cm layer of straw, grass clippings laid in a thin layer, brown cardboard, or a geotextile tarpaulin if you have one available. After a few months, check whether the cover has broken down and the ground is ready for planting; the time needed varies with conditions.
• If the soil is in poor condition (pebbles, hard as concrete): it will probably need to be turned over using a rotary cultivator or a little (a lot) of elbow grease depending on the surface. Remember to remove any stones that could cause problems, especially when growing root vegetables.

I've already created my kitchen garden

In this case, your plot will require very little maintenance. For me, the essential accessory for the vegetable gardener is the broadfork. This sort of sturdy fork isn't used to turn over the soil, but to aerate it. All you have to do is push it into the soil with your foot on the horizontal bar, and give a little downward jerk with your arm to lift the soil slightly. This will oxygenate the soil and encourage the creation of a microbiota that is essential to the good balance of your soil. I use this tool two or three times a year on all my growing areas that no longer contain vegetables. Generally, I use it at the end of autumn, just before winter, and twice in the spring. The first time, three weeks before sowing my first vegetables, and the second time a week before.